Friday, March 22, 2013

Emboss Resist on Patterned Paper + an Interview

(note, this is my second post of the day, please click here for the CFC #95 Challenge post)



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Before I show my homework for this class, I wanted to mention that the super-creative-and-talented Tasnim asked me if I would do an interview for a blog she contributes to, called Paperie Design's Studio. How sweet of her to ask! It was a little strange answering the questions, as I've never given an interview before on card-making : ) If you're interested, head on over to check it out!

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Now you wouldn't know it, but I've been taking the newest Online Card Class on using patterned papers. Love it! So far, it's been a mix. I've watched all of Day 2 videos, and the first of Day 4. These cards are a combination of those random lessons.


 First is a card using clear embossing on patterned paper. Now this paper is really bossy. But I thought that would be a good challenge for me. I'm shy around these patterns. Part of why I signed up for the class is to get more comfortable hanging around them. So I'm forcing myself.

All cards have this same clear-embossed damask on the same bossy paper.

Brown distress ink around the damask, a gold embossed sentiment and 3 aqua sequins for good measure (had gold sequins on there first, and then told myself to stop being so "safe" in this exercise.) One tip Jennifer shared was to add a narrow strip of paper to separate the papers if they're not looking right. I added the brown strip and think it looks better.



This card uses the white wash technique from Day 4. I don't have the Ranger white wash stain, but just used some white acrylic paint. At first I mixed it with a lot of water, but it allowed too much of the pattern to show through. I really just wanted it to look like an orange patterned paper damask on white paper. So I dry brushed the paint without any water. It was a little tricky, because you had to wait long enough for the paint to stick to the paper, but not so long that it wouldn't come off the emboss resist area. 

Now if I were the artistic Alexandra, I would show you all manner of creative photography on my process along the way. But, I realized you have to be pretty darn confident that what you're doing is going to turn out well before investing all that time in setting up and taking photos. And I certainly was not confident at all. So, no artsy photos to share of the process!

Also, I originally had tan cardstock where the green dots are now, and then scolded myself for not stretching. Then I found a patterned paper I liked ... and it was beige on beige. Sheesh, this is harder than it looks! So green dots it is. There. I did it. Two patterns.


My last attempt is a sympathy card. This time the paint sat on the damask longer than the last card. I was going to toss it, then figured it would make a nice, soft sympathy card. Hard to see, but the sentiment is Papertrey's "may you find peace and love in the memories you cherish." It was too dark, so I thought I could just paint over it and start over, but it still showed through. I left it because the wispiness went along with the "memories" sentiment, and the barely-there damask. I have the main sentiment on the inside in case this one is too difficult to read. 

I used Jennifer's Day 4 tip to add a large, grainy glitter for more interest.

Never in a million years would I have come up with these cards on my own, so I'm really glad I'm taking the class. And I'm looking forward to catching up on the other lessons. Sharing these with Papertrey's MIM on inking your own background.

Thanks for looking!
-Kelly

25 comments:

  1. I have to admit, you lost me (at least me trying these myself) when you said 'acrylic paint'. It takes WAY too long to dry for my impatience! lol! I lOVE the first one - how the pattern pops out of the darker pattern and the aqua sequins are perfect - its a bit like how copper turns green, so the colour combo really works. The gold embossing on the red is scrumptious - I can see a beautifully elegant Christmas card from this design! I also love the sympathy card - the whispery-ness of it (and that chunky glitter looks fab - so glad I held onto mine for all these years - I may actually finally use some!) Good for you for challenging yourself to use the dp - you're doing really well!

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    1. Thanks Ardyth! On the acrylics, super-quick drying time. I'm so impatient too, but it was only 2 minutes with the dry brushing and a little shot from the embossing gun. Not bad.

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  2. Thanks so much Kelly for explaining your process...I can appreciate the discomfort in working with pattern paper and colors, but you did a fabulous job! Each card had it's own unique look...love them all!

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    1. Maria Killam (http://www.mariakillam.com/) has a great decorating blog focusing on color. She always refers to strong patterns or colors, like large-scale & multi-colored backsplashes, large patterned granite, varied stone treatment, etc. as bossy. They boss you around and force you to decorate around them, forever. Same as this paper ... there's not a ton you can put with it (that I can think of anyway) as-is. It will boss you into white cardstock + a sentiment : )

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  4. I love the first one and the 3 rd ones effect though the sentiment is tough to read, the glitter adds a lovely snow inspired effect!

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  5. These cards are gorgeous! I think that first one is my favorite, so rich looking and great for a guy too. The class sounds great! I am going to have to take one of those one of these days!

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  6. These look great Kelly - I really love the softness of the last one - my favorite way to use acrylic paint is with a dry brush and have been known to pull out the heat gun to hurry along the drying time.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your class work! Love the cards with pattern paper, but my favorite is the 3rd one! I guess it's because I am a clean and simple kind of gal :)

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  8. I really like the richness of the first one, the addition of the big dot paper on the second, and the sparkle on the third one. I think I like the third best, because that sparkle is so unexpected! I really LOVE the strength of the "bossy" paper, though, on the first one. So rich.

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  9. WOW! AMAZING cards!! All are such stunners!! :)

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  10. Kelly, thank you for all the instruction. Feels like I just took the classes! Like the first one, always a sucker for those bossy papers. Have a stash big enough to open my own store!

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  11. Your first card is my favorite! Unfortunately I missed that class - being away in Texas and doing it on your own afterwards is just not as much fun.... But I am getting good ideas here about what to do whit all those papers I don't really like. Have to try that technique!

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  12. Your cards are BEAUTIFUL Kelly~I love the "bossy paper" term~it's so true! I don't do well with patterned paper at all~these inspired me!

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  13. Kelly these are gorgeous! So classy! Sounds like a wonderful class , I feel like I am the only one who did not take it. But thanks to you I feel like I just did. I love the last one with the glitter , the sympathy card ..oh... that is so pretty. I am still loving your market find that you use as a card stand…love that!

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  14. as if you needed to take a class...you're the MASTER here don't you forget it!
    These three examples are the best illustration of that fact ;-)
    thank you for these rich and very different interpretations!

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  15. You are a very sneaky girl - I had no idea you were taking this class too! Hasn't it been *fastastic*? I have picked up so many tips and much more confidence around patterned paper now!

    As for these beauties, wow. I would never have known they were the same paper!! And you certainly packed in punch after punch with the techniques from the few videos you've seen! My favourite is without doubt the last one. Just so serene and beautiful, and that grainy glitter really does work so so well!!

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  16. BTW your interview totally rocked. :-)

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  17. Loved your interview, Kelly, and these cards are all amazing! Isn't it such fun try new things, not quite knowing how they'll turn out ... and then they turn out as splendid as these! Anita :)

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  18. What fun homework you are creating. Very fun to see the three different cards from that paper. I hope you are enjoying the class. I have learned so much, and am excited to use up some of my hoarded papers so I can buy more.

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  19. Beautiful cards!! I wished I'd taken that class, now... But you have inspired me to actually USE the white acrylic paint I have in my stash ;)

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  20. I don't know how anyone as talented as you can be afraid of bold paper. You did a great job on all these cards.

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  21. Isn't that PP class fantastic. Just to bust that hoarded stuff out and crack the whip? Love all takes - obviously for different occasions. IMHO you can never go wrong with polka dots, small, medium or bossy.

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  22. Very pretty technique! Love how bold the cards turned out!

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I absolutely love reading comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave one! - Kelly